Macatawa Legends residents voice zoning concerns

Wednesday

Jul 2, 2014 at 7:04 AM

By Peg.McNichol@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4269

A tentative request to rezone a 93-acre parcel in Holland Township from agricultural to industrial drew a strong response from neighbors Tuesday.Seven Macatawa Legends homeowners told Holland Township's planning commissioners not to do it.Doug DeKock, of Geenan DeKock Properties, asked commissioners in December and again in May to consider industrial zoning for the northwest corner of Quincy Street and 136th Avenue. He noted that the northeast and southeast corners of the intersection are zoned industrial.? Suggesting he would develop the site for a business such as manufacturers Gentex or Metal Flow Corp., DeKock indicated he would create a buffer between his site and the Macatawa Legends neighborhood.The township's current master plan, which is currently being revised and updated, would have township officials switch the site from its current agricultural zoning to single-family residential.Greg Evans told the board he and his wife moved out of New York "to get away from the noise" and he didn't want to hear trucks rumbling next to his backyard. Don and Connie Appel said their home is closest to the site and they're concerned no one else will want to live on their street if an industrial park goes up.Planning Commissioner Jack Vander Meulen, who was presiding over Tuesday's meeting, reassured the residents that no official request had been made and an industrial zoning was "not a done deal."Meghann Reynolds, the township's zoning administrator, said residents can stay informed through the township's community development office. She told The Sentinel the township's master plan won't be finalized until after a public hearing later this year. Residents can see the current plan online now — with proposed changes being added by the end of this month.People who want an electronic copy of the master plan can get one for free by signing up to a township mailing list, she said. Learn more online at hct.holland.mi.us.— Follow this reporter on Facebook and Twitter, @SentinelPeg.